Thursday, August 18, 2005

So Brecon festival last sunday with Clearframemy first time back since the late 80s. The band was seriously cooking at times.We played in an outdoor setting that was really idylic next to the cathedral walls.Hugh hopper,Lol coxhill and Charles are a great combination for any occasion.

My only quibbles about the day was that it takes so long to get there 4 hours from london and 4 hours back it took a day to get over it.I think it would of been better being put up overnight by the festival on Saturday in a hotel.

My other Quibble, sign posting for the festival was hopeless I met lots of lost people walking around the village looking for gigs and musicians moaning about a lack of audience.

I arrived 3 hours before the gig with Lol, who I'd picked up at Paddington station.(while waiting for me he had actually managed to chat up 2 Attractive Policewomen(not an oxymoron).We walked around trying to get a handle on what was going on, who was on, where was it on.All those really obvious questions that no one seemed to have an answer for.

Musicians also had to park their cars seriously far away from the stage at a specific Artist car park,This proved a nightmare to find and to walk to after playing.

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

This week I have been hanging out with Jeff Kaiser of pfMentum records from LA he's here with Andrew Pask the Kiwi saxophonist who lives in LA.Tonight we went to to the Sussex.Its the venue for Hugh Metcalfe's Klinker club.The improv enclave in Islington.According to the info on the internet Tonight should of belonged to a group called The Gathering which is an improv ensemble organised by the vocalist Maggie Nichols.We arrived thinking they would be in full flow instead we were greeted by the upstairs bar being packed with people watching a large screen Tv,The fooball was on.England were playing Denmark in a friendly match.As this was the first time I was going to the Klinker I didn't Know what to expect.Especially as when we stepped in it resembled a wild west cowboy type bar.Everyone gave us strange looks as we arrived with cases etd,so we backed out of there fast.It really looked like the session was cancelled or happening some place else .So we then called various musicians to check if this was really the place,

Everyone said the same thing "I have been once it was really hard to find,its a strange vibe."but were all very helpful. I then followed some instructions to another place were there were 4 different pubs just in case this was the wrong pub.As one person had said there were 3 Sussex pubs.unfortunately none of them was called the Sussex.The mobile was ringing with lots of vague hints and tips from people,but no one had a definite location,until Stefano Tedesco the vibes player called with definite directions.this led us in a circle back to were we first started.By this time the football was finished and a new clientele was seated drinking.

This time we could approach the bar and found a friendly face.She told us that last week only 1 musician had turned up, so there was a chance that thought nobody would turn up this week, especially as its in the middle of August, which is normally their quite period.we waited around the bar for 45 minutes to see if anyone would come in.Nobody did,So we Then decided to go down to the performance space ourselves and play anyway.

We ended up playing a duet for about 45 mins,Pans and Trumpet. In the Klinkers stark space There were definitely Some interesting moments and some real good stuff came out of it. Jeff plays well and really knows his instrument, so it was a real pleasure.We then left to get back to home, hotels etc. Its definitey lthe first time I've played in a venue with no audience.Maybe thats another new scene.The No Audience,empty room movement.Who knows it could catch on.It should be a good gig tomorrow at the Red Rose.

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Next week thursday on the 18th,I am performing with Tony Bevan,Ashley Wales,Mark Saunders,John Edwards at the Red Rose club.It will be an interesting night as Evan Parker and John Caton will be performing also as well as visiting musicians Jeff Kaiser and Chris pask from the Choirboys all the way from LA.I think Steve lawson will be back from Edinburgh so will probably sit in as well.should be a lot of fun.Here's a map direction for the Gig.http://mqdirect.mapquest.co.uk/map.adp?venue=t2lw8%269-->

I have just spent all morning putting together a page on my website about the Jazz warriors.In response to some students complaining about the lack of info on the band etc.Hopefully it can be built up with facts,figures and other contributions, from ex band members or anybody else that has any titbits of info,Trivia etc.So please visit the page on my site. www.orphyrobinson.com. Spread the word.

Monday, August 08, 2005

yep i'm getting the hang of this mobile phone blogging now.i'm doing this from the car at the moment.'hopefully when i'm in europe in 2 weeks Time I will be able to pick up wireless access points to surf etc.

Sunday, August 07, 2005

This week I am going to make a big effort to start recording some ideas that I've been carrying around for a while the opportunity to record Rowland has definitely made me think about putting some stuff down.I have now set up a few things in the front room mics,instruments etc then I will try to hook up my Laptop etc. I will probably try to stay low not answer the door,telephone etc.Just to have some Headspace.I have been very busy this year doing lots of everybody else's things.Since there's a chance to do something for myself I might as well take advantage of it.

Saturday, August 06, 2005

Met up with the fantastic Flautist Rowland Sutherland yesterday.He's just back from performing at the Lincoln centre, New York. He popped around for a chat.we hadn't played music together for ages so we decided to have a jam in my front room.since he had his Flute with him.What a pity we didn't record it because some of the stuff he has doing was great.I think its taught me a good lesson that I should always have my recording gear ready for such occasions.

About Me

My blog is an informal look at some of the things that interest me. I will also sometimes put up gigs and events that interest me or that I will be appearing at! Here is a link to my official website for a more in depth look at my career http://orphyrobinson.co.uk/index.php